It's what I've suspected all along. That Federer's racquet is a PS 6.0 85 with a 90 sq. in. head with the same layup and composition. It also supports what Tony Roche told ART ART at the French Open.

Some people here didn't believe me in the past when I said that I could tell just from watching Federer play that it was unlikely that his racquet contained any HyperCarbon nor nCode, since I've played extensively with both the Originals and the nCodes. Well, here's the proof that substantiates my claim.

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That's really great. I wonder what the rest of the page says. So Federer just adds high-modulus graphite somewhere, maybe in the hoop(?) since he hits kind of high. By the way, I also doubt Federer uses HyperCarbon/nCode. Those are just marketing terms for different lay-ups--in other words, scams.

Yes, "haimojiyurasu" is the phoenetic spelling (romaji) of "High Modulus".

In katakana, it's "[SIZE=-1]ハイモジュラス[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]"

The full composition of the Federer version is: "[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]ハイモジュラス・グラファイト+グラファイト+ケブラー" or "High Modulus Graphite + Graphite + Kevlar".

For the retail nCode 90, it lists the composition as: "[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]ハイパー・カーボン+ハイモジュラス・グラファイト+グラファイト" or "HyperCarbon + High Modulus Graphite + Graphite". Not even any mention of Kevlar.

[/SIZE]

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Hmm. I just read the whole page and it seems it doesn't even mention "nCode" being in the "normal" retail nCode model. We'll have to get a few of these frames to see how true the page is. If the new model still has "nCode" material, then it's pretty useless.

Hmm. I just read the whole page and it seems it doesn't even mention "nCode" being in the "normal" retail nCode model. We'll have to get a few of these frames to see how true the page is. If the new model still has "nCode" material, then it's pretty useless.

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The other BIG important question is: does this Federer Signature model have the same or simliar weight distribution of the PS 6.0 85 or does it have that weird weight distribution of the PS Tour 90/nCode 90 in which a lot of the weight is in the throat area? It's the great balance and weight distribution of the PS 6.0 85 that makes it easy to swing and such a great serving machine, whereas, the weird weight distribution makes the PS Tour 90/nCode 90 feel clumsy and harder to get around IMO. That to me, is as important as or even more so than whether or not they used nCoded materials.

The other BIG important question is: does this Federer Signature model have the same or simliar weight distribution of the PS 6.0 85 or does it have that weird weight distribution of the PS Tour 90/nCode 90 in which a lot of the weight is in the throat area? It's the great balance and weight distribution of the PS 6.0 85 that makes it easy to swing and such a great serving machine, whereas, the weird weight distribution makes the PS Tour 90/nCode 90 feel clumsy and harder to get around IMO. That to me, is as important as or even more so than whether or not they used nCoded materials.

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All we know now is that the mold of this new frame is seemingly the same as the other retail Tour 90/nCode 90 with the long handle. Therefore, in order to get the 6.0 85-style lay-up and weight distribution for the first time in this mold, I think Wilson will need to tweak Federer's or whatever lay-up to fit. If that's true and Wilson would do that, then I think this frame is going to be expensive in such a limited run.

Why would Wilson leave the most distinguishing characteristic, the long handle, on a frame that is going to Japan?? Perhaps, it's the long handle that is adding mass that needs to be countered in such a disgusting way. I'd guess perhaps Federer has a clause in his contract that only he have access to his mold. So, we might have to wait until Federer grows old and dies before we can play with his racket because that's when his contract ends.

All we know now is that the mold of this new frame is seemingly the same as the other retail Tour 90/nCode 90 with the long handle. Therefore, in order to get the 6.0 85-style lay-up and weight distribution for the first time in this mold, I think Wilson will need to tweak Federer's or whatever lay-up to fit. If that's true and Wilson would do that, then I think this frame is going to be expensive in such a limited run.

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Well, here's a ray of hope. That Japanese website with the specs also says that the swingweight of the Federer Signature version is 329. If you look at TW's specs of the nSix-One Tour, its swingweight is 326 (although it seems to swing much heavier), but TW's specs for the PS 6.0 85 is, guess what? 329! So maybe Wilson made the Federer racquet to swing exactly like the PS 6.0 85? I would assume that's what Federer would want, right? I guess we can only keep our fingers crossed and hope.

BTW, the long handle doesn't really bother me, but apparantly it seems to bother everyone else. I hit a one-handed backhand, so long or short, it doesn't really matter to me since I only use the last few inches of the grip anyway.

However, if it's at all possible, it would be great to also add a PS 6.0 85 Original to the mix. This is because our theory is that Federer's racquet feels more like the PS 6.0 85 (the racquet he used for a long time, China version) than either the HPS Tour 90 or the nSix-One Tour 90. The HPS Tour 90 contains HyperCarbon and the nSix-One Tour contains both HyperCarbon and nCoded material, but the PS 6.0 85 is made of only 80% graphite and 20% kevlar, which we believe, is what Federer's racquet is also made of (i.e., no HyperCarbon nor nCode).

Thanks again, and we look forward to the results!

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Here's an update. I borrowed the Federer racquet today from the office, and I got one of my playtesters to loan me a Pro Staff 6.0 Original 85 in good condition. One of my other playtesters has a few of the HPS Tour 90s, so I'll borrow one of them for this test.

I'll then string up each racquet (PS 6.0, HPS Tour 90, nSix-One Tour 90, and the Federer racquet) with Wilson Reaction at the middle of the tension range for that particular racquet. I will also fit each racquet with a Wilson Pro Overgrip. I am not going to use power pads on any of the racquets, as none of my playtesters uses power pads, and there's no sense in adding another variable.

I've got to go to a funeral next week, so I'll try to put this all together after I get back.

Also, I borrowed the Pete Sampras racquet we have. I'll take pictures of it and post them. I'm going to try to get clear photos of the lead tape (length and terracing) and the markings on the butt cap.

Here's an update. I borrowed the Federer racquet today from the office, and I got one of my playtesters to loan me a Pro Staff 6.0 Original 85 in good condition. One of my other playtesters has a few of the HPS Tour 90s, so I'll borrow one of them for this test.

I'll then string up each racquet (PS 6.0, HPS Tour 90, nSix-One Tour 90, and the Federer racquet) with Wilson Reaction at the middle of the tension range for that particular racquet. I will also fit each racquet with a Wilson Pro Overgrip. I am not going to use power pads on any of the racquets, as none of my playtesters uses power pads, and there's no sense in adding another variable.

I've got to go to a funeral next week, so I'll try to put this all together after I get back.

Also, I borrowed the Pete Sampras racquet we have. I'll take pictures of it and post them. I'm going to try to get clear photos of the lead tape (length and terracing) and the markings on the butt cap.

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Very good.

Pls post, if you can,
the weight and balance (strung or unstrung) for each of them.
Stiffness and swingweight, only if possible.

Here's an update. I borrowed the Federer racquet today from the office, and I got one of my playtesters to loan me a Pro Staff 6.0 Original 85 in good condition. One of my other playtesters has a few of the HPS Tour 90s, so I'll borrow one of them for this test.

I'll then string up each racquet (PS 6.0, HPS Tour 90, nSix-One Tour 90, and the Federer racquet) with Wilson Reaction at the middle of the tension range for that particular racquet. I will also fit each racquet with a Wilson Pro Overgrip. I am not going to use power pads on any of the racquets, as none of my playtesters uses power pads, and there's no sense in adding another variable.

I've got to go to a funeral next week, so I'll try to put this all together after I get back.

Also, I borrowed the Pete Sampras racquet we have. I'll take pictures of it and post them. I'm going to try to get clear photos of the lead tape (length and terracing) and the markings on the butt cap.

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Thanks, Greg!

Looking forward to the results of the playtest, especially now in light of the new revelation of this Federer Signature Edition being released in Japan, which supposedly does not contain any HyperCarbon.

Hmm, I think it would be best to include a more recent China 6.0 85 (all China 6.0 85 frames came with bumpers), as that's what Federer seemingly used and what is supposedly the basis of Federer's current frame. Some of the older non-China frames have specs all over the place; hence, more variables in the way. To tell if it's a China 6.0 85, the bottom of the throat right above the neck should be wider to more easily allow the frame to be spun around a finger. Trying to do that with any of the older frames will snap your finger off. Ouch!

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Hey in that ad where fed has the worms explode in his face from ball tube somewhere on here he is spining his racket on his finger maybe he has the China model.

Well that proves it folks. Just as I suspected all along. Federer's racquet DOES NOT contain any HyperCarbon!

Federer's racquet only has high modulus graphite, graphite and kevlar, whereas, the retail version has HyperCarbon, high modulus graphite and graphite. I doubt Federer's racquet has any nCoded material, either.

Now if only Wilson would also sell this new racquet in the U.S.!

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Amazing that anyone could mistake a marketing gimmick in a small country as proof of anything - oh, btw Tony Roche dropped by my country club the other day before leaving for Wimbledon and he, Sampras and I discussed racquet specs all afternoon. Sounds as plausible as the whopper you fell for from the Frech Open.

Pls post, if you can,
the weight and balance (strung or unstrung) for each of them.
Stiffness and swingweight, only if possible.

Finally, we're getting to some real public measurements here

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I've already posted this information, but with the exception of swingweight, I'll get the as-tested specs for each racquet. In the case of the Federer racquet, these specs will be a bit off from his actual specs, because of differences in string, overgrip (potentially), and the lack of power pads.

Amazing that anyone could mistake a marketing gimmick in a small country as proof of anything - oh, btw Tony Roche dropped by my country club the other day before leaving for Wimbledon and he, Sampras and I discussed racquet specs all afternoon. Sounds as plausible as the whopper you fell for from the Frech Open.

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Japan a small country?

Yeah, so small that the manufacturers sell 3 times as many different models in Japan as they do in the U.S. So small that they introduce their new models in Japan first. So small that they sell their best models (e.g., PS 6.0 85, HPS 6.0 85, Ultra2, n6.1 Federer, etc.) only in Japan. So small that Japan gets lots of Prince, Dunlop, Yonex, etc. models that the rest of the world can't get.

I've posted some photos of one of Pete Sampras' Wilson Pro Staff Midsize racquets. As with the photos of the Federer racquet, the green-and-white sticker was added to identify the racquet during the Kids' Day ceremony at the U.S. Open, some years ago. Also, the strings are nylon, and were neither installed nor stencilled by Nate Ferguson. Here's the link: